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Wow-ee yes indeedy, I did think, upon finding CD-wow. Surely this could not be real? Surely its a scam? But no, CD-wow is indeed a great service which being poor (enough) I very much need. Ok, cheap price aside, there always seems to be two sides to the cd-wow coin... Firstly - it's all £8.99, but it's not all there. Yes I am very greatful for such cheap CDs, and having the whole top 75 chart plus some extras and old albums there is exactly what the public want, but I find that I cant find anything much 'obscure', or old albums by more well known bands. That said, choice is cd-wow's only real stumbling block when you are comparing it to other retailers online and off. I have seen some reviewers complain about delivery times, and I find this a problem as well. Although my last two orders (a Jeff Buckley CD and Radiohead's 'Amnesiac') came very quickly, one taking only 3 days, one cd I ordered last year took about 3 months to come! But everything ordered so far has arrived, eventually. And I believe the security of the site is very good. One thing I dont like much about Cd-wow, mind, is the actually site lay out and design. I think it could be much clearer and not sooo wide. The grey/dark backgrounding doesnt do much for it, and the endless blaring offers down the side I find TOO distracting. OK they want to advertise their £8.99 offer, but there's no point putting me off buying the CD I actually want, is there? Overall, I think cd-wow is indeed very very very very good value for money....its where I go first to find cds, although I think they would get a lot more business from me if they had a little more choice in CDs! But you cant have everything now, can you?

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I thought about buying this album after hearing the 'Yellow' single, but decided against this...I thought Coldplay were a bit boring really. Then I ended up being given it for my 14th birthday. And when I did listen to the LP I realised it probably would have been worth buying. There are a few excellent standout tracks here, and a few you don’t notice the start or end of. Well that’s what I thought, but bits of them do come back to me every now and then. I think ‘Shiver’, ‘Don’t Panic’ and ‘Trouble’ are my favourites, along with 'Yellow'. These tracks are great but a few of the others seem to drag along. The rest is all very nice, but maybe I just dont favour this album THAT much because in some ways it isnt 'me'. If you enjoy the music of Travis et al. then you should love this. It's very good to chill to. Well, the strong tracks are very strong… ‘Trouble’, you’ve bound to have heard is a sad-but-sweet type ballad type thing with a piano riff that repeats on you hours later. ‘Shiver’…nehhh guitars lead you into an upbeat angsty type song that will fit into your summer soundtrack. It's one of those songs that seem to fit to an event and remind you of ‘that day’, or whatever. And I mentioned ‘Don’t panic’ as well…quite short (seems to be the theme of the album), but sweet too. For me sometimes this album is a little bit 'samey' at times....but I do think it's worth checking out. Also, my Mum likes it too!

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"smoky lungs NONE OF WHICH I ASKED FOR"

When in Year 8, I wrote the oh-so-memorable words “You Smell, You look like a chimney, you infect my breathing space, and then, you die” on an anti-smoking poster we were all commanded to design. At the time I didn’t know one person in my year that smoked and had never been really bothered much by other people’s smoke. Year 9 now, and you can’t move for fag smoke. Seems to be the popular year for volunteering for lung cancer. And it’s the toilets that those “cool” girls use. Do they count as a public place? Well it’s where smokers bother me most. I mean I can walk down the street past them thinking, “you obviously have a death-wish but I don’t really care” on seeing a smoker, but I really really hate it when they decide to ‘infect my breathing space’. Ok. So why don’t I just go someplace else? For a start, I shouldn’t have to anyway, I mean, if I really want to hang out in smoke-free loos I should be able to, shouldn’t I? As it happens me and mates spend up 20 minutes of our lunchtime in there because A) The boys who sit in the cloakroom get on our nerves B) We’re not welcome in any other part of the school C) It’s too hot or cold to go outside D) We need to have a ‘quiet word’ with each other E) There’s a mirror. Girls tend to love those things. So, basically, our bogs, however scabby they are, are needed. And staying in them when there’s smokers about (and there always is) means our health is at risk AND we stink of smoke. Not nice. And since there aren’t any windows in the bogs, once the faggers have been through, the smell and smoke lingers, all day even, as if to spite us. THIS IS NOT FAIR. And even if a ban on smoking were brought in, the smokers of my school bogs would still be there – they haven’t been caught y et, have they?

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This was my first O.Spring album, and I bought it after only hearing the ultimate pop rock song Pretty Fly...and The Kids Aren't Alright a few times (including a version by some year 9 boys at my school) I do like this record, and was probably pulled in by it's poppy appeal, but I did later decide that the offspring's older stuff is better. (Smash etc.) But this still deserves those four stars. Firstly, it's a lot of fun. The Offspring can combine sarcastic humour and 'serious' stuff v.well. And they have all the right(guitar) equipment to make a lot of noise. And those strained vocals which aren't quite annoying but near enough. *highlights* The Kids Aren't Alright I think is a genuinely great rock song, what an intro! Feelings...I recently heard the original of this - what a difference, but even my Mum recognised it in this form. Great guitars to jump around to. Americana. I'm not, to tell you the truth, a true punk fan - I'm not into the feeling that the drummer has to go as_fast_as_possible, and I don't reALly like all the fast vocals an stuff on this track. BUt it has a great intro atleast, and if your feeling wound-up for some reaon, this song has an excellent chorus line to shout out (well F*** you, you know. REpeated. loudly) And don't forget the intro. She's Got Issues. I like this lot. Substitue the chorus with 'My god she's got dandruff' and break out in immature teenage laughter for the full effect. Pay The Man. The ultimate track. Starts with indian style quiet guitar and builds up excellently with little 'tings' on the triangle and dreamy vocals to full blast guitar and lyrics. I love it. I love it a lot. So this album may not be, in my opinion, quite as good as the harder edged stuff the Offspring were doing a few years earlier, but it's still worth a listen. You won't regret buying this if you' ;re looking for fun almost pop punk/rock stuff that you can jump around to use to abuse the powers that rule by screaming out the rude bits. Yeh. Blah

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Now my feet don't touch the ground. Wasn't totally sure why I bought this album; I hadn't really been into the two singles I'd heard (Taste In Men and Slave To The Wage) but I was glad I got it. Why? It's edgy rock/punk stuff from some nice men with black hair and lip gloss? Yeh mebbe. I can understand that some of Placebo's oringinal fans aren't into the rap thing on the track 'Spite and Malice', but I love it. It's especially spooky when listened to in the dark, as I found last christmas when the house was quiet. This song is neah neahhh music, building up and going crazy when that guitar and rap kicks in. cool. But there are no fillers at all here. Check out Haemoglobin, a rocky song about being stuck in a tree while realising Haemoglobin is the key. Initially I didn't like this, but it grew and grew on me. *OthER highlights* *the aforemented Spite and Malice* Commercial For Levi - about drugs, as normal. liked listening to this in the dark but it isn't really spooky, although kinda plaintive with the lyrics 'PLease don't die' and the hidden Black Market Music, less rocky with strings and things: which is a fitting end to high class album from Bryan and his friends. There are plenty other stand out tracks, some slow like the narcoleptice but still entertaining 'Narcoleptic' and fast like Days Before You Came. Another highlight - Blackeyed....but I could go on forever. It's all worth it I recommend this to any new fans of Placebo, cos I think, after hearing their other stuff, that's it's probbably their most accessible work to date. Should please the older fans aswell.

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I like this album a lot. It's essential to your cd Box cos it has energetic get up an dance tunes along with neahhhh guitar stuff and the odd gorgeous soft ballad type thing (Scartissue etc.) I came across the Chilis first when they released the song 'Scartissue' in 1999, and I liked it a bit but didn't bother getting off my backside to check them out for about year. Then I heard Californication in late 2000 and that, coupled with the sound of some 6th former at my school sending out the sweet chimes of the guitar bit in that song scartissue at lunch time, made me decide to get this. I'm a bit slow at decisions, I know, but I don't have much money to waste, really. Anyway the aforemented Scartissue I love, it's a beautiful ballad type thing with a gorgeous laid back guitar and a great solo at the end. And californication, Re-christened Pixiefornication by me and my immature friends is also a high quality song. But those are just the singles. MOst of the tracks on here are worth loving. Apart from I think, just two that I personally don't like (Emmit Remus and Purple Stain) but that's just my op. There are a few neh neh guitar tracks, such as Around The World; this has an EXcelleNT bassline, and stuff like *Otherside*. Then there's the kind of funky stuff, like Get On Top, rap interspersed with a sung chorus line, and I Like Dirt, Right On Time which are all gooD FUn, but perhaps a bit too repetitive in styles for me. I mean this is a long album, but it is a bit rock, ballad, funk, rock, ballad,funk which isn't necessarily a bad thing at all, but I can't listen to this time and time again. One of the things that is soo goood about the chilis is that they are v.popular all over, but they still have a kind of individuality that attracts all those alternative fans. And I know my name is Scartissue, but that was just cos I happened to be listening to this album when I signed up; I'm not a diehard fan or owt and I can't compare this to RHCP's earlier work but I do know this is a damn good album. Red Hot Chilis are firmly on the top layer of the rock pile, and this I think is a v.good buy. Buy it nOW

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wOw! still so fresh all these years on. I like this record a lot. I'd swap eminem for this lot anyday. As I'm 14 years old (don't grass purlese) when this released, I wasn't really into rap music. But I am now. So I investigated the Beastie Boys after hearing some of (was it?) 1998's Hello Nasty album, and I found this basically cos everyone on that particular website was like 'oh but Paul's Boutique is like beastie boy's best by faaaaar.' and it seemed to make sense to go for what was supposed to be the best. And I'm not really sure if it is their best (all down to personal opinion of course) but I think this is great. My undoubted favourite has to be the song 'Eggman'. Who got the idea for this? It rocks!!!!! andis a good example of the freedom the B.Boys had with sampling: the themes from 'Jaws' and 'Psycho' are played on top of eachother in this track. v.funny but also.................................. loads of talent. People always put white rappers down (some deservedly) but these lads have plenty be envious of in my opinion. Of course their style won't be to everybody's taste but that's life. Those stuck in their ways people are just jealous. I like all the tracks but my favourites have to be the aforemented Eggman and Hey Ladies. Sorry that I don't have much track detail down, but I can never remember anything about stuff when I'm not listening to it. That doesn't really set me up as a good opinionator I know, but I do try, honest. Just trust me - if you like the Beastie Boys, you'll like this record. And if you're interested in them, try this.

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You could say that Westlife are five nice decent-looking lads who like a sing-song, don't swear, and will appeal to your daughter and your granny. You could also say they are simply manufactured pap, created by some fat cat record company with one thing in mind - money. I kind of agree with the second statement. *wHy?* Well isn't it obvious??????!!!! a) Their main talent is looks, which isn't, em, actually a talent at all. b) Their originality is non-existent; they are simply Boyzone the second, created for the second lot of pre-pubescent loonies. c) No one, it seems, stopped to think about the quality of the music before launching this attack on mankind. Well it's not important really is it? d) no, wait a second. Let's stop this right here cos, beliEve me, the list is endless. The basic point is Westlife are a sad example of what's popular with young people. Nice looking lads, zero out of ten for the music. You really ARE sending your daughter to the slaughter by recommending she listen to this lot. Thousands of immpressionable girls are taken in by this crap and go for years believing it's actually gOod music. SO we have a nation of people with no music taste. Yes they don't swear but that doesn't mean they should be musical idols surely? WHat happened to musical instruments and song writing? Anyone encouraging Wetlife worshipping needs told - *You are responsible for the sullying of a nation* Westlife must die. (the band, not the members, I mean) Your young daughters will only move onto Eminem next(just as fake and manufactured) so what's the point in her listening to 'nice' music now????

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I, like the a lot of the other reviewers was 'blown away' on buying this...but for me, the effect did not really last. It all sounded very interesting at first, but I soon got bored of the tracks I knew ie. the singles, of which there were, I thought, far too many released. SO I tried listening more to the rest of the album, as you do. But I found a lot of the second half of the CD less impressive than the first. I think the big hits (why does my heart..., porcelain etc.) along with a few other tracks like 'Bodyrock' and 'southside' are v.good quality. But there are about 17 tracks on this album, and large quantity doesn't nessecerily mean quality. The tracks are of varying quality, but I don't think there enough high points, for me anyway, to put this above 3 stars. Also I got tired of ALL the tracks v quickly, and don't listen to this very often as a result. Which I think is a shame. hm.

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It think this is better than The Man Who. I bought the latter before it, and quite liked it so went in for this and I rate it more now. Why? Well it's a bit rawer, bit more rocky and a bit more FUN, in my op. The first half (roughly) is a full of rock songs such as 'Good Day To Die' and 'Midsummer's Night Dreamin', then it mellows out with slower powerful tracks like 'Falling Down', 'More Than Us' And the last track :Funny Thing: which I love. Later I got into Radiohead and that last track I think is rather Radioheadesque, not that that's a bad thing, I mean. WIth this album you get a good blend of fun rock songs (nehh guitars) and good vocals and lyrics all round. I'd rate it higher than TRavis's Man WHo cos maybe it's a bit rawer and less produced but that's just my own op.

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After buying this CD, I later bought Travis's first album - 'Good Feeling', and then decided their debut was better than this. So you might like to consider checking that out before investing in this as your first Travis buy. The Man Who is known to everyone in the UK as TRavis's sucess, but Good Feeling is a well kept secret that might warrent more attention. That's not to say that this isn't a good cd. It is certainly, although perhaps a little over produced and un-raw at times. FRan Healy offers excellent vocals and I think the higlights are - Slideshow (makes you think of times in you life that you frame in you mind) and She's So Strange, because she IS so strange, just like the song. But my favourite has to be the hidden track, at the end of track 10. It doesn't have an official name of course on the sleeve but I think it's 'Blue Flashing Light'. For Travis, this is much darker than their other stuff, and that's what I like about - it's what really lifts the quality of this album up, so don't miss out on it. And remember to check this album's not so well know older brother, Good Feeling - that easily passes this by.

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You have to give Radiohead some credit for coming back with something different - experimental, Of course experimental doesn't always work, and, in this case perhaps the music isn't all that revolutionary - been done before etc. etc. But I like it Most of it anyway. I can't listen to this cd without pressing the skip track button on my CD player a few times, as I never had to do with Radiohead's Bends + OK Computer. So...well it IS good, but not that good, and you DO need to be in the right mood for it, whereas I can listen to the Bends or OK Computer any mood,time or place. Everything in it's right place - this is a v.good track. INterestiing. Kid A = quite good - for some reason it makes me think of sheep! Has distorted lyric bits and just says 'Sheep' to me.Dunno why. I love the punky bass line on the nAtional ANthem, but the whole thing just goes on and on so I normally skip part of that to get to the wonderful How To Disappear Completely And Never Be Found - which is sad and kind of beautiful as well. And at the end it has really spooky strings which I like a lot Treefingers - NO WAY. How can this be deemed a track?!. Skip button there Optimistic is good, bit more like Raidohead of old but no need to get nostalgic. boom-boom-boom-boom @the big fish eat the little ones@. I think this coulda been a single maybe TRack 7...ok...but something's missing from it to make it what something I'd want to hear repeatedly. it's a bit of a muddled one idioteque - I love this. Even one of teenybopping friends does (NOt that it's pop song). Excellent big beat and frantic lyrics about fires and stuff. Morning bell is pretty good, yeh I like this, has an excellent trippy drum beat to it. And then there's no 10, which is all cosy and hushed and weird and also sad, v.good So there are loads of good points, but no real feeling of 'this is amazing, another classic', not for me anyway. Ok computer WAs a big act to follow and I think this is a fair sequel, but nothing more. Plenty of v.goods, not enough excellents, know what I mean?

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This is great high quality pop music. A bit beatlesque, with vocals almost Rolling Stones syle you can gurantee funs with this lot. Just a shame they seem to be practially ignored by the majority of the UK press and record buying public. There are loads of excellent tracks here. Check the chorus on 'Mary' - what fun to sing along to, and one of my favourites is probably 'Jesus Came From Outta Space', with the lines like 'He came down for peace on earth then he left in a second hand car'. The whole thing has a sense of fun and you can bang it your CD and have a jump around your room, then relax at the end with Mamma and Papa - a very sweet track and fitting ending. All round it's excellent. Play it on one of those days you hope to remember in the future as fun so you can recall it with the help of your CD-player.

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I was 8 when this came out, but it was as fresh as the buds of my garden when I bought it 8 years later (now). Which says something on it's own. I only became a fan of Radiohead 3 years after OK Computer was released, and was only about 8 in 1994, and back then only listened to my parents mixture of musicals, motown and Eagles CDs, so I had no idea who this lot were. Anywyay...on reading these opinions of the predecessor of all those 'amazing', 'Phenomenal ' cds these guys produced LAtER on, Don't you dare put this down as the 'promising debut' album that led onto Radiohead's later triumph(s), as it is full of great songs, and although it isn't my favourite Radiohead album (The Bends is), I certainly don't think of it of as disappointing buy or owt. This is excellent! Yes creep (I of course didn't hear it first time round) is a high point, but I also love 'Thinking About You', which is...sweet almost. 'Blow Out',is also excellent...it builds up and, basically blows out with a nehh guitar climax. I love the track Vegetable especially. Perhaps it isn't strictly the best track technically on the album, but for me it speaks VOLUMES. You can interpret Radiohead's tracks however you like, as I'm a 'misunderstood' teenager prone to moods and burst of rage, this track is essential. I put it on every morning then go about my day humming 'I'm not a vegetable>I will not control myself' everytime someone or thing gets me down/puts me down. I don't think there are any weak tracks on this, and you get a great blend of rockier tracks, such as the excellent 'Anyone Can Play Guitar' (which is v.easily as good as the tragic 'Creep')and there are the quieter calmer tracks, or the ones that start quiet and BUILD UP TO LOUD. I love those. The only kind of weird thing on this was, when I heard the s ong 'How Do You?' I immediately though Sex Pistols, cos that's where Thom sounds he's going. I'm still not sure what to think of that yet. But I'll keep this burning slowly. It's definately 'one of those'